“With Iran in mind, Israel signs deal with US for heavy choppers, refueling planes,” Judah Ari Gross, Times of Israel, December 31, 2021.
“Iran space launch fails to put payloads into orbit: Official,” Al Jazeera, December 31, 2021.
“Iran Sends Rocket Into Space Amid Faltering Nuclear Talks,” Sune Engel Rasmussen and Aresu Eqbali, Wall Street Journal, December 30, 2021. “Iran launched a rocket into space carrying what officials on Thursday said were three research devices, drawing attention to Tehran’s missile ambitions amid faltering international negotiations over its nuclear program. The rocket, called the Simorgh, is designed to carry satellites; it was sent up about 290 miles, which an Iranian Defense Ministry spokesman told state television was a record for this type of rocket. The ministry didn’t say when the launch was conducted or whether it had succeeded in putting the devices into orbit. It didn’t give any details about the devices. Iran has tested the Simorgh rocket at least five times previously. Most of the tests failed. Satellite carrier rockets aren’t part of Iran’s ballistic-missile program, but U.S. intelligence officials have said that many of the components in rockets such as the Simorgh can be repurposed for long-range ballistic missiles. Iran says its rocket tests are for civilian purposes and aren’t linked to its military ambitions. The announcement followed a test last week of 16 short- to medium-range ballistic missiles during a military drill in southern Iran. It also comes as Iranian and Western diplomats are huddled in difficult talks over Iran’s nuclear program in Vienna. Negotiators are expected to reconvene on Monday after breaking for New Year. The U.S. left the deal in 2018 and imposed strict economic sanctions that have battered Iran’s economy. In response, Tehran has violated most of the key tenets in the agreement, reducing the time it would need to produce enough nuclear fuel for one weapon to as little as a month. It has increased uranium enrichment from the 3.67% level allowed under the agreement to 60%, a short technical step from 90% weapons grade, and curtailed access for international nuclear inspectors. The Vienna talks, aimed at finding a path back to compliance with the deal for Iran in return for sanctions relief, have made little progress since resuming in November. Diplomats have repeatedly warned that as Iran continues to progress on its nuclear enrichment, time is running out to restore the deal in a way that meaningfully curbs the time Tehran would need to produce a bomb, a central goal of the original deal. Iran insists that it doesn’t seek nuclear weapons. Diplomats now doubt a deal can be reached within the timeline of a few weeks set by Washington and the Europeans.”
I only post this because he is a former Iranian official who is now an apologist at Princeton. They need to release him from his position. “Iran wants a sustainable nuclear deal. Only the lifting of US sanctions can achieve this,” Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Middle East Eye, December 29, 2021.
At least 450 honor killings ar annually known in Iran. “Victims of honor killings found in southeastern Iran,” NCRI Women, December 29, 2021.
“Iran: President Raisi To Visit Russia,” Tasnim, December 29, 2021.
“Russia to sell dozens of Su-35 to Iran: report,” Mehr, December 28, 2021. “The website “19fortyfive” has cited an earlier report by another website the “aviacionline” as saying that Iran and Russia will sign a 20-year, $10 billion security and defense cooperation agreement in January 2022, which would include the purchase of Su-35 fighters, S-400 missiles and a satellite. According to information gathered a defense analyst, the agreement will include the purchase of at least 24 Sukhoi Su-35SE heavy fighters.”
$251 million is a lot of tea. “Iran accepts tea in payment for Sri Lankan oil debt,” Agence France-Presse, December 28, 2021.
Denied communication with his family, already held for year and a half. “Frenchman held in Iran began hunger strike on Christmas Day, says family,” AFP, December 27, 2021.
“Iran oil exports focus of Vienna nuclear talks, top Iranian diplomat says,” Medi Telegraph, December 27, 2021.
Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Bolivia, already have ties to Iran. “Chile’s new president is a win for Iran – comment,” Emanuele Ottolenghti, Jerusalem Post, December 27, 2021. “Chile is the third country this year to elect a leftist president – after Peru and Honduras.”
“Weeks, not months for Iran deal, EU mediator says as Vienna talks resume,” Tovah Lazaroff, Jerusalem Post, Reuters, December 27, 2021.
“Saudi Arabia accuses Iran, Hezbollah of aiding Houthis after deadly missile attack,” AFP, Times of Israel, December 26, 2021.
“Iran Simulated Attack On Israel’s Dimona Nuclear Site In Recent Wargames,” Iran International, December 26, 2021.
“Nephew of Lebanon’s assassinated president: Country taken hostage by Iran, Hezbollah,” Times of Israel, AFP, December 25, 2021. “Opposition politician Sami Gemayel calls next elections a choice between first step away from quagmire or return to ‘cycle of compromises that destroyed the country’.”
I don’t think he is going to set up Red Crescent or other humanitarian efforts. “Venezuelan president to visit Iran to further cooperation,” Times of Israel, December 25, 2021.
“Iran: Women Sell Their Hair To Make Ends Meet,” NCRI, December 24, 2021.
“Iran fires ballistic missiles during drills in warning to Israel,” Aljazeera, December 24, 2021.
“Navy ships confiscate 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles, ammo en route from Iran, likely headed to Yemen,” Navy Times, December 23, 2021.
“Navy ships confiscate 1,400 AK-47 assault rifles, ammo en route from Iran, likely headed to Yemen,” Navy Times, December 23, 2021.